As if we weren't excited enough simply to announce this year's fantastic winning titles, we're also running high on the lovely things people have been saying in reaction to the winners announcement. It makes us so thrilled to be able to spread some love to deserving authors and illustrators (and their publishers, too), and here's what some of them had …
The 2013 Cybils Awards
Thanks to the many volunteers who made for another successful Cybils contest. Our judges, panelists and — most especially — our organizers gave up their so-called free time to spend with us. You can thank them by passing along the good word about what we do here! Without further fuss, here are this year’s winners of a Cybils Award: Elementary …
The 2013 Cybils Winners Are Coming…
The winners of the 2013 Cybils Awards will be announced next Friday, on Valentine's Day. Our Round 2 panelists are hard at work. Each panel will select what they believe is the best-written, most kid-friendly title out of the choices on their shortlist. For your reference, here are links to the full shortlists: Elementary & Middle Grade Book Apps Fiction …
More Author/Publisher Reactions from Cybils Finalists
Here are a few more reactions from the authors and publishers who were named 2013 Cybils finalists on January 1st. Extra points to Andrew Karre for using the word "galavanting". See others in this post. Ursula Vernon, author of Dragonbreath, responded in a blog comment: "Oh, wow! That is so cool–thank you for letting me know!" Macmillan Kids | @MacKidsBooks: …
Author and Publisher Reactions to Being Cybils Finalists
We're seen a LOT of enthusiasm about the Cybils shortlists on blogs, Twitter, and Facebook over the past couple of days. Thank you so much to everyone who has helped to spread the word about our wonderful finalists. Here, we've selected some author and publisher reactions on Twitter and Facebook: Sarah Beth Durst | @SarahBethDurst: Happy New Year! Awakened to lovely …
The Ones that Got Away: Favorites that Didn’t Make the Shortlists
Our 2013 shortlists are fabulous. But, as is the case every year, some of our Round 1 panelists mourn the ones that got away. These are the titles that they loved, but that for one reason or another didn't make it onto the shortlists. So, if the finalists don't offer a sufficient number of reading suggestions for you, try these …
The 2013 Finalists
Happy Cybils New Year! Really, when all the confetti is swept up, the champagne bottles put in recycling, and your hangover nursed back to a semblance of sobriety, what else is there? Us, that’s what! We’re back again with another list of books that kept our panelists riveted through the holiday season. We sifted through more than 1,300 books and …
The Cybils Finalists Are Coming!
Good news! The Cybils shortlists will be announced the day after tomorrow, on New Year's Day! The shortlists are blogger-vetted, kid-friendly, well-written lists of 5 to 7 titles in all 11 categories (some with sub-categories). That means that a whole host of great book and app recommendations will be coming your way to start the new year. In the meantime, …
2013 Finalists: Young Adult Fiction
Dr. Bird’s Advice for Sad Poets Evan Roskos Houghton Mifflin Books for Children Nominated by: Jessica @ herlifewithbooks Dr. Bird’s Advice for Sad Poets hits a seldom-found sweet spot between artful prose and an honest, authentic teen voice. James struggles with depression, anxiety, and abusive parents. With his sister Jorie, one of his few confidants, out of the house, he …
2013 Finalists: Young Adult Non-Fiction
Breakfast on Mars and 37 Other Delectable Essays Roaring Brook Nominated by: Katy Manck (BooksYALove) Writing and reading essays usually evokes yawns. Forcing students to use the formal style of writing not only is boring but kills creativity. Breakfast on Mars takes the dreaded essay assignment and spins a fun, creative twist that is sure to inspire younger writers. Each essay …